Can someone tell me what is going on?!!

First baby, lots of period type cramps and pressure from baby pushing down since last Thursday, spoke to midwife Saturday who said its baby getting into position. But it's still going on and getting worse tonight

Lots of lower back pain, stronger pains but a constant ache when the strong pains go, no show and no waters breaking (I don't think but lots of discharge, sorry if tmi!), no hard bump feeling.

Anyone else had this? Do I have this to look forward to for the next 2 weeks because I don't think I can deal with it!

Well I've delivered 3 times, and I hate to say this, but even though those last few weeks feel like forever, it actually is a short time. Very short time. All you are feeling is normal. I would suggest you write a diary, moan and swear on it, ooh... aah..., or just doodle. Date them. When your baby is getting into primary school, you'll have a great time looking back. Good luck and congratulation!

You could be in labour, or you could be warming up Try to go with what feels right in terms of resting, or moving, swaying etc. If you feel you need support, and you're having a homebirth, maybe give the MW a ring for a chat. If a hospital birth, go with what feels right.

If you think there's a chance your waters are leaking then it's important to avoid vaginal examinations unless you really want them (they're always optional) as they can increase the risk of infection.

Sounds very exciting These latent stages can last a long time (yes even weeks) or move into more active labour. Just try to keep focused on what your body is saying to you.

I feel like the pains tonight are stronger than they have been previously, but I don't feel like they are getting worse. Only been having stronger period type pains since about 9pm but they haven't got any worse since then, having lower back pain too

OK, so there's a reasonable chance that your waters are leaking. How exciting!

Quite often the hospital will (sometimes very strongly) encourage you to be induced if it is your waters leaking, and it carries on for whatever amount of time your individual hospital's guidelines have come up with (can be anything from 24 hours to several days - no good evidence for any of these). If you wish to be more aware of your options and the reasoning behind all this, here's a useful link: midwifethinking.com/2010/09/10/pre-labour-rupture-of-membranes-impatience-and-risk/

This sounds gross but what does the leakage smell like ? I thought mine smelt like semen and believe me DH had not been near me in a while.

My waters went Monday and I had DS Thursday so don't expect them to rush around like headless chickens getting you prepped for labour if it is your waters. They tend to leave you at least 24 hours before they start inducing you to see if you start off yourself.

Can you manage to get in a nice warm bath and then sit on a birthing ball for a few hours with legs akimbo, that might help move things along.

Ah, another day of relative peace then! Don't forget you don't need to be induced if your waters have gone unless you want to be, and the timescales are arbitrary and not evidence based. Different hospitals have different guidelines (while one will put great pressure on you at 24 hours, others won't blink for 3 days).

I hope you're able to enjoy these last few days, however many they are.